Air Crew: 25 Missions. The Story of the Memphis Belle - Engineer.
TECHNICAL SGT. HAROLD P. LOCH
Engineer and Top Turret Gunner
Having slugged it out with Hitler's fighters from a B-17 top turret, he now wants to be a fighter pilot. Sergeant Loch is 23 years old, comes from Green Bay, Wis., used to be a stevedore, has been in the Army since November, 1941.
HIS STORY
THE engineer of a B-17 doesn't have much ground work. I think he should have more, at least enough to keep his hand in. It is important that he know his engines, that he know every gauge, switch and fuse. Fuses are especially important to him, because they sometimes blow out and he must know where they are.
Every man on the B-17 should be able to assemble his gun blindfolded. He ought to be able to fix it quickly if it goes out while he is in the air.
The biggest part of the attacks come from the nose. German fighters will come from away behind, slip up to the side just out of range, and gradually get closer. If you don't watch closely, they'll nose right into you before you know it.
Sometimes one plane will fly along in line with you dipping his wings to attract attention while a lot of other planes sneak in on you from the other side. You have got to be on the alert all the time.
When you shoot at him and he peels off, don't worry about whether you got him. It doesn't pay to watch him. While you are doing that, another one might sneak up on you. Just use common sense. That's all it takes.
THE upper turret is a good position. You can see any plane that is in position to do damage to you. Also, from there you can let the ball turret gunner know when a plane is coming in and from what position so that he can take a crack at him.
We had good teamwork on our ship. I think that is the main reason we were able to complete our 25 missions without a casualty. It doesn't pay any dividends to have trouble in the crew. All of ours were good boys, and we worked together and had confidence in each other.
Before going over, bomber crews should get used to high altitude flying. It gets cold up there, and gunners should get accustomed to it. The first time most of the fellows see an electric suit is after they get over there.
We had a lot of excitement. I'll never forget our March raid on Rouen. We flew over the French coast, feinted, and flew back across the channel. We knew the Jerries would get wise some time, and they did. They jumped us over the channel, 30 or 40 of them. They attacked from every position. Then just after we dropped our bombs, more fighters came from out of nowhere. Our tail got hit. We weren't bothered much more until we got almost to the channel. Then six of them jumped us, circled around our tail from seven o'clock to five o'clock, and went to work on us. Shells were bursting everywhere. Finally, the foremost fighter began to smoke. He turned away and the rest followed him.
We hear they get an Iron Cross when they shoot down a B-17. They are a pretty determined bunch.
When you cross into enemy territory, you have a tense, expectant feeling. You never know just what you are getting into. But get busy, and then you are okeh.
